Toyota 22R is a 2.4L 4-cylinder motor, manufactured between 1981 and 1995. In 1982, the brand presented 22RE, a fuel-injected modification, plus, from 1985 to 1988, 22RTE, a variant with turbocharging, was built.
Having troubles with the timing chain, the motor passed through some updates. Consequently, many 22RE components aren’t compatible with 22R and 22RE motors, released before 1985. Apart from 22RE’s fuel injection, post-1984 22R and 22RE had some other distinctions.
Being one of the latest Toyota R series motors, 22R with 2.4L displacement and 4 cylinders is noted for its durability. Mainly, this motor was utilized for automobiles sold outside US and Canada. Among the North American market vehicles featuring 22R, were 1984-1995 Toyota pickup trucks plus the 1985-1995 Toyota 4Runner. Additionally, the motor was employed for Toyota Hilux, Celica plus Corona, and Volkswagen Taro (a re-badged variation of the Toyota Hilux).
When 22RE was first released, it as well as a newer version of 22R was provided with a single-row timing chain instead of the dual-row one. In 1985, these motors were subjected to other upgrades and almost all major components were either replaced or modified. After that restyling, the motors were manufactured for some time before their production was ceased. Actually, the motor was utilized in Toyota Hilux, pickup plus 4Runner till 1995 whereas Volkswagen Taro employed it till 1997.
Moreover, 22R is still famed for its astonishing reliability. Though it can hardly be called a high-performance motor, many drivers and car enthusiasts assure us that it’s the most excellent engine ever created by Toyota.
22RE Engine Specs
| Engine code | 22R-E |
| Layout | Four-stroke, Inline-4 (Straight-4) |
| Fuel type | Gasoline (petrol) |
| Production | 1983-1995 |
| Displacement | 2.4 L, 2,366 cm3 (144.38 cu-in) |
| Fuel system | Electronic fuel injection (EFI) |
| Power adder | None |
| Power output | 78 kW (105 hp; 106 PS) at 4,800 rpm 84 kW (113 hp; 114 PS) at 4,800 rpm |
| Torque output | 185 N⋅m (136 lb-ft) at 2,800 rpm 190 N⋅m (140 lb-ft) at 3,600 rpm |
| Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Dimensions (L x W x H): | – |
| Weight | – |
| Oil consumption, L/1000 km (qt. per mile) | up to 0.5 (1 qt. per 1200 miles) |
| Oil type | 5W-30, 10W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity (Refill capacity) | With filter change ~ 4.5 quarts (4.2 liters) |
| Oil change interval, km (miles) | 10,000 (6,000) |
The initial version of 22R-E reached an output of 105 hp at 4,800 rpm with a torque of 137 lb/ft at 2,800 rpm. However, in 1985, after a large-scale renovation, the situation changed. Then, the motor’s output equaled 114 hp at the identical speed with a 140 lb/ft torque at 3,600 rpm.
Having a displacement of 2.366 liters (144.4 cu in), 22RE didn’t demonstrate an astonishing power-to-weight correlation. Nevertheless, the motor was highly estimated for its endurance and reliability. It featured a cylinder bore of 3.62 inches and a stroke of 3.5 inches.
What Cars Have A Toyota 22R-E Engine?
- 1984-1995 Toyota Hilux
- 1983-1985 Toyota Celica
- 1983-1987 Toyota Corona RT142
- 1984-1995 Toyota Pickup
- 1985-1995 Toyota 4Runner
- 1989-1997 Volkswagen Taro
Toyota 2.4l Head, Block, And Valvetrain
| Cylinder head (86 and later) | ||
| Valve Arrangement: | SOHC, chain drive | |
| Valves: | 8 (2 valves per cylinder) | |
| Valve head diameter: | INTAKE | 45.0 mm (1.7717 in) |
| EXHAUST | 37.0 mm (1.4567 in) | |
| Valve length: | INTAKE | 113.5 mm (4.4685 in) |
| EXHAUST | 112.4 mm (4.4252 in) | |
| Valve stem diameter: | INTAKE | 7.970-7.985 mm (0.3138-0.3144 in) |
| EXHAUST | 7.965-7.980 mm (0.3136-0.3142 in) | |
| Valve spring free length: | 48.5 mm (1.9094 in) | |
| Camshaft cam height: | INTAKE | 42.63-42.72 mm (1.6783-1.6819 in) |
| EXHAUST | 42.69-42.78 mm (1.6807-1.6842 in) | |
| Camshaft journal diameter: | 32.98-33.00 mm (1.2984-1.2992 in) |
Original 22R-E kept a cast-iron block. Moreover, soft piston rings made a major contribution to the motor’s long lifespan. They allowed cylinder bores to escape from ridges as long as motor function. Valvetrain featured a traditional pushrod system with the camshaft in the block. It had 1 intake and 1 exhaust valve per each of four cylinders (8 in total).
22R-E gives people exactly what they want from their engine, high durability. No one wants to spend hours in a garage or car repair shop, trying to deal with all the troubles emerging in the engine. People just want their automobiles to drive them smoothly and faultlessly from one point to the other.
Though the production was ceased in 1997, many 22RE motors are still in good condition and are still utilized for automobiles. Usually, this motor can run for 300,000-400,000 miles with no trouble.
However, in some cases, it may even reach 1 million miles. While the output isn’t so high and is usually of 114 hp, these Toyota motors have a great number of fans around the world thanks to their fantastic lifespan.
| Valve clearance | |
| Intake valve | 0.20 mm (0.008 in) |
| Exhaust valve | 0.30 mm (0.012 in) |
| Compression pressure | |
| Standard | 12.0 kg/cm2 / 200 rpm |
| Minimum | 10.0 kg/cm2 / 200 rpm |
| Compression differential limit between cylinders | 1.0 kg/cm2 / 200 rpm |
| Ignition system | |
| Spark plug | NGK: BPR5EY DENSO: W16EXR-U |
| Spark plug gap | 0.8 mm (0.0315 in) |
22R-E Engine Problems and Reliability
22R frequently faces troubles with the timing chain on the motors, released after 1983. They are plastic and that’s why they break pretty often. It leads to the timing chain’s sawing into a water jacket and ruining the motor. The solution is to substitute them with steel guides.
The other common problem concerns the head gasket as the motor features an iron block and an aluminum head. And, aluminum expands much more. So, they may cause some problems due to overheating. But here is good news: 22R has no other serious faults.
Is The 2AZ-FE a Good Engine?
The Toyota 2AZ-FE is a decent engine. For many years, it’s been in Toyota vehicles and is still popular among Toyota drivers. The engine is recognized for its fuel efficiency and performance. If you’re seeking an inexpensive, dependable motor, the Toyota 2AZ-FE is a wonderful choice. Performance may be subpar by today’s standards, but the 2AZ-FE delivers respectable reliability and efficiency.
Is The 22R a Reliable Engine?
In terms of engine life, a 22R motor has an average lifespan of 350,000 to 400,000 miles. This is a well-known, long-lasting engine. Many who drove this engine claim that it was the finest Toyota ever made, despite not being a powerhouse motor.
The long-stroke 22R and 22RE are at their best when operated as low-power (right around 100 horses) task-focused engines that provide excellent low-end torque (thanks to their long stroke) and fuel efficiency for their size, even though a turbocharged version was available.
It’s not unusual to have the rear main seal, half-moon plug, or head gasket leak. The front crankshaft oil seal commonly wears out and forms a groove in the crank, requiring either the replacement of another thin oil seal on the crank or the installation of a repair sleeve.
22R-E Performance parts
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Last update on 2025-07-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Hi Dan,
I’ve been wanting to restore and old hilux for a while but I’m struggling to find a vehicle that actually has a 22re engine in it. Can you tell me an example of an exact make/model hilux these are in in Australia?
Hi, Jason. 4th and 5th generations (1983-1997) of Hilux were applied with a 22R-E. The trim levels were Deluxe Short Bed and Deluxe Xtracab.
Maybe you can solve this problem by purchasing a remanufactured 22R-E long block somewhere apart from a car.
Hello Dan!!
22 R-E
May I put it in my echo 2005 without any problem ?
I did a lot of Honda swap so now Im looking for my little baby runner😁
Thank You